Shanhaiguan - Shanhai Pass, the First Pass under Heaven

Shanhaiguan, located in Qinhuangdao City, Hebei Province, is the starting point of the eastern end of the Ming Great Wall. Because it is built on the road leading to Beijing, it is known as the strategic hub connecting North China and Northeast China and is also known as the First Pass under Heaven.

Quick Facts About Shanhaiguan

• Name in Chinese: Shān hǎi guān 山海关
• Opening Hours: 7:00 - 17:30 from April to November; 7:30 - 17:00 from December to March
• Ticket Price: CNY50 for an adult
• Location: Qinhuangdao City, Hebei Province

Where is Shanhaiguan

Shanhaiguan is located more than 15 kilometers to the east of Qinhuangdao City, Hebei Province, and serves as the vital passage connecting northeast and north China. It borders Liaoning Province to the east and adjoins the downtown area of Qinhuangdao City to the west. To the south lies the Bohai Sea, and to the north stands the Yanshan Mountains, boasting beautiful natural scenery.

Highlights of Shanhai Pass

The First Pass Under Heaven

The First Pass Under the Heaven, also known as Zhendong Gate, stands tall on the city wall and looks grand. This gatehouse has two floors, with gray tiles on its roof and creatures on the ridge. It's wider from east to west and longer from north to south. There are arrow slits on the east, south, and north sides of both floors, adding up to 68 in total.

Hanging on the eaves of the upper floor on the west side is a big plaque with five words: "天下第一关". It was written by a famous calligrapher from the Ming Dynasty called Xiao Xian. The East Gate is an important passage into Shanhaiguan. It has many defenses, like a Weng city, a drawbridge, and a moat, making it an important building for ancient military defense.

Laolongtou

Laolongtou is the lowest part of the Great Wall. It stretches into the sea and is the eastern starting point of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall. It is made up of the Stone City that goes into the sea, the Sea God Temple, and the Jinglu Platform. The wall used a lot of iron pots to build it to reduce the impact of the waves.

Jiaoshan Great Wall

Jiaoshan Great Wall is north of the ancient city of Shanhaiguan. It's the first mountain the Great Wall crosses after it starts from Laolongtou and passes by Shanhaiguan going north. Jiaoshan Great Wall is steep and has big, rocky cliffs that look like a dragon's head, which is why it got its name. The walls and beacon towers here are all made of stones and are strong.

Structure of Shanhaiguan

The Shanhaiguan Pass has an irregular trapezoidal shape. Its wall is 4,727 meters long, 14 meters high, and 7 meters thick. There are 4 gates: the east gate is called "Zhendong Gate," and it is known as the "First Pass Under Heaven." The west gate is called "Ying'en Gate," the south gate is "Wangyang Gate," and the north gate is "Weiyuan Gate."

Weng City 瓮城

All four gates of Shanhaiguan Fort are surrounded by Weng City, of which only the eastern one remains, with a perimeter of 318 meters. The gate of the Weng City, opens to the south, forming a right angle with the gate of the First Pass.

Luo City 罗城

East Luo City is located outside the east gate of Guancheng and was built in 1584. It covers an area of 0.24 square kilometers and has a perimeter of 2045.6 meters. The east wall is 394.8 meters long and has a main gate with a tower called "Fuyuan." There are also 2 watchtowers and 1 corner tower on the east wall.

West Luo City is located outside the west gate of Guancheng and covers an area of 0.57 square kilometers. It was an important trade center in Shanhaiguan. The city walls were first made of packed earth, but in 1596, they were changed to brick. In 1643, they started building for military needs, but it was never finished.

Yi City 翼城

South Yicheng and North Yicheng were built in 1633, but now both have collapsed, leaving only their ruins. When they were built, their main purposes were to serve as granaries, armories, and barracks for soldiers.

Best Time to Visit Shanhaiguan

You can visit Qinhuangdao at any time of the year. From June to September, the climate is pleasant and the sea water is warm, making it ideal for seaside holidays. From March to May and October to November, the weather is cool and it's the off-season for tourism, allowing you to avoid the crowds and enjoy the peaceful seaside atmosphere.

The best time to visit the Great Wall of China may be helpful to you.

How to Get to Shanhaiguan

Beijing to Shanhaiguan

There are 5 high-speed trains departing from Beijing Railway Station to Shanhaiguan every day, taking about 2 hours.

Qinhuangdao to Shanhaiguan

There are 30 high-speed trains departing from Qinhuangdao Railway Station to Shanhai Pass every day, taking about 15 minutes.

Shanhaiguan Railway Station to the First Pass Under Heaven: bus 13, 25 with price of CNY2 and spending 20 minutes. Taking a Taxi costs CNY9 and takes 5 minutes.

Shanhaiguan Railway Station to Laolongtou: bus 25 with price of CNY2 and spending 40 minutes. Taking a Taxi costs CNY15 and takes 15 minutes.

The First Pass Under Heaven to the Laolongtou: bus 25 with the price of CNY2 and spending 34 minutes. Taking a Taxi costs CNY17 and takes 20 minutes.

Private Transfer

I recommend you check out a private transfer. Our driver will wait for you at the train station, pick you up, and then take you directly to your hotel. After helping you settle in, they'll escort you to the scenic area without any stops in between. You won't need to transfer, which will save you a lot of time.

The Importance of Shanhaiguan

Shanhaiguan is an important defense facility that protects against foreign invasions. During the Ming Dynasty, to defend against attacks from northern nomadic tribes, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang ordered the construction of the Great Wall, and Shanhaiguan became a key part of it. It is not only a vital stronghold connecting China to the northeast but also a crucial barrier for the capital.

Besides its military role, Shanhaiguan is also a bridge for cultural exchange. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, many foreign diplomats and merchants entered the Central Plains through Shanhaiguan, bringing with them exotic cultures and goods. This helped promote the exchange and blending of different cultures between China and other countries.

Besides its military role, Shanhaiguan is also a bridge for cultural exchange. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, many foreign diplomats and merchants entered the Central Plains through Shanhaiguan, bringing with them exotic cultures and goods. This helped promote the exchange and blending of different cultures between China and other countries.

Which Dynasty Built the Shanhaiguan

Shanhaiguan was built under the supervision of Xu Da, an outstanding military general in the Ming Dynasty. In addition, Shanhaiguan has undergone renovations and expansions, with General Qi Jiguang as the main person in charge. These renovation works have made Shanhaiguan even more magnificent and spectacular and also consolidated its position in border defense.

Tips for Travel in Shanhaiguan

The scenic spots in Shanhaiguan Ancient City are relatively scattered. If you don't want to walk, you can take the sightseeing bus, which costs 10 yuan.

In the morning, visit the Lao Longtou scenic area, have lunch in the ancient city, and spend the afternoon wandering around the ancient city. After that, you can enjoy the movie show in the ancient city at night, which starts at 8:30 p.m. and lasts for about 15 minutes.

By purchasing the scenic area combo ticket, you can take the free bus from Laolongtou scenic spot to the First Pass Under Heaven.

Departure time for the First Pass: 9:00, 11:00, 14:00

Departure time for Laolongtou: 10:00, 12:00, 15:00

Plan a Shanhaiguan Tour

Shanhaiguan is more than 300 kilometers away from Beijing, and there is no direct bus from downtown Beijing to Shanhai Pass. Therefore, you need to take several modes of transportation to get to Shanhai Pass from Beijing. However, the customized itinerary provided by Chinatravel will make your journey worry-free.

You May Like to Read

• Great Wall of China Map
• How to Plan a Great Wall Tour
• Great Wall Hiking Route